NATURE RESERVE

In an alley behind Jasper ave between 105th and 106th Streets, there exists a park so tiny it seems absurd. It is nothing more than a little wrought iron fence surrounding a patch of earth with one bench and one giant trunk. The gargantuan Horse Chestnut Tree is registered by the Heritage Tree Foundation and has been around since 1920.

 

THE BELLS RING OUT

Walking along 96 Street in McCauley the other day, I really enjoyed the diversity of architecture all clustered together on this tree-lined road just north of Downtown. It has been a while since I have sketched for Back Words, so I made a little montage showing the range of styles from Byzantine and French Gothic Revival to Mid-Century Modern that make up Church Street, one of this city's hidden gems.